The Internet The first analogue of the modern internet was established in 1969, and it was named ARPANET. Computer networks were available only for private institutions until 1980, after which computers started to spread for home use. The developments of ARPANET were used to create the new NSFNET network in 1984, which was used for communication between colleges and computer centres. ARPANET was eventually closed, except for the NSFNET.